RESIDENTIAL

BUILDING
House Design Types per
Buildings Laws in the Philippines

Design 2
FEU Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
2021
 • A residential building is a dwelling place where a person or a
group of persons lives or resides.
• There are different types of residential buildings defined in
different local codes.

Definition
SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design.
 • SINGLE DETACHED
– A dwelling unit completely surrounded by yards

• SINGLE ATTACHED
– A dwelling unit with only one side attached to a firewall

• DUPLEX
– A dwelling unit containing 2 separate living units, each of which is separated from
another by a firewall and provided with independent access

• ROWHOUSE
– dwelling units containing 3 or more living units designed in such a way that they abut
each other and are separated from each other by a firewall; each unit provided with
independent access

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

DEFINITION

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • APARTMENT
– A room or suite of two or more rooms, designed and intended for, or occupied by one family for
living, sleeping and cooking purposes

• APARTMENT HOUSE
– Any building or a portion thereof, which is designed, built, rented. Leased, let or hired out to be
occupied or which is occupied as the home or residence of three or more families living
independently of each other and doing their own cooking in the building, shall include flats and
apartments

• MANSIONETTE
– Apartment with two levels, double storey

• WALK-UP
– Low rise apartments without a lift where one has to walk up using the stairs

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

DEFINITION

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • CONDOMINIUMS
– Apartment with facilities

• PENTHOUSE
– Biggest unit in a condominium or apartment block, usually with two
levels and located at the uppermost floor

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

DEFINITION

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • Residential occupancies are those occupancies in which
sleeping accommodations are provided for normal residential
purposes and include all buildings designed to provide
sleeping accommodation.

• Residential buildings, structures or facilities are treated

separately in this Rule in the following groups: hotels, motels,
apartelles, pension houses, inns, apartments, condominiums,
dormitories, lodging or rooming houses, and single and two -
family dwellings, and the likes.

RA 9514(FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES)

DEFINITION

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I RA 9514

 • HOTELS.
– Buildings or groups of building under the same management in which there
are more than fifteen (15) sleeping accommodations for hire, primarily used
by transients who are lodged with or without meals, whether designated as a
hotel, inn, motel, or by any other name. So-called apartelle, condotel or
pension houses shall be classified as hotels, because they are potentially
subject to transient occupancy like that of hotels.

• DORMITORIES.
– Buildings where group sleeping accommodation are provided for persons,
not members of the same family group in one room or in series of closely
associated room under joint occupancy and single management, as in
college dormitories, convents, fraternity houses, military barracks, and the
like.

RA 9514(FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES)

DEFINITION

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I RA 9514

 • APARTMENT BUILDINGS.
– Buildings containing three (3) or more living units with independent cooking
and bathroom facilities, whether designated as condominium, row house,
apartment house, tenement, garden apartment, or by any other name.
• LODGING OR ROOMING HOUSES.
– Building in which separate sleeping rooms are rented providing sleeping
accommodations for a total of fifteen (15) or less persons, on either a
transient or permanent basis; with or without meals, but without separate
cooking facilities for individual occupants.
• SINGLE AND TWO -FAMILY DWELLINGS.
– Detached dwellings in which each living unit is occupied by members of a
single family

RA 9514(FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES)

DEFINITION

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I RA 9514

 • ECONOMIC HOUSING
– A type of housing project provided to average income families

• SOCIALIZED HOUSING
– Refers to housing programs and projects covering houses and lots
and homelots only undertaken by the government or the private sector
for the underprivileged and homeless citizens which shall include sites
and services development, long term financing, liberalized terms on
interest payments, and such other benefits in accordance with the
provisions of R.A. 7279 or the urban development and housing act of
1992.

BP 220 (BATAS PAMBANSA 220)

DEFINITION

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I BP 220

 • COMMERCIAL CONDOMINIUM
– A building, or group of buildings, used for office, businesses,
professional services and other commercial enterprise organized,
owned and maintained as a condominium

• CONDOMINIUM UNIT
– Means a part of the condominium project intended for any type of
independent use or ownership, including one or more floors (or part or
parts of floors) in a building or buildings and such accessories as may
be appended thereto.

PD 957 (OPEN MARKET HOUSING)

DEFINITION

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 957

 • CONDOMINIUM
– Shall mean an interest in real property consisting of a separate interest in a unit in a
residential, industrial or commercial building and an undivided interest in common
directly or indirectly, in the land on which it is located and in other common areas of
the building.

– A condominium may include, in addition, a separate interest in other portions of such

real property. Title to the common areas, including the land, or the appurtenant
interests in such areas, may be held by a corporation specially formed for the
purpose in which the holders of separate interests shall automatically be members
or shareholders, to the exclusive of others, in proportion to the appurtenant interest
of their respective units in the common areas.

– A building in which each individual unit is held in separate private ownership and all
floor space, facilities and outdoor areas used in common by all tenants are owned,
administered and maintained by a corporation created pursuant to the provisions of
the appropriate statute.

PD 957 (OPEN MARKET HOUSING)

DEFINITION

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 957

 • CONDOMINIUM
– An individual dwelling unit under individual ownership in a multiple
units development with common elements in which:
• a. The units comprise not only the space enclosed by the unit boundaries, but all
material parts of the land within the space;
• b. The common element means all the property within the development except
the units;
• c. The common element is owned by all of the owners as tenants in common.

– A building or group of buildings, in which units are owned individually,

and the structure, common areas and facilities are owned by the
owners on a proportional undivided basis.

PD 957 (OPEN MARKET HOUSING)

DEFINITION

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 957

 • DWELLING UNIT
– Structure designed or used as residence.

– One or more rooms that may be used as a residence, each unit

having sleeping, cooking and toilet facilities. One or more habitable
rooms designed or intended for use by 1 or more individuals as an
independent and separate housekeeping establishment in which
separate kitchen and sanitary facilities are provided for the exclusive
use of such individual or individuals, with a private entrance from
outside the building or from a common hallway or stairway inside the
building.

PD 957 (OPEN MARKET HOUSING)

DEFINITION

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 957

 • MEDIUM COST AND OPEN MARKET
– refers to housing projects where prices of house and lot packages are
within the suggested price ranges as determined through HUDCC
resolution and falling under the standards prescribed in these rules.

PD 957 (OPEN MARKET HOUSING)

DEFINITION

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 957

 • Each local code stipulates their own regulations and design
requirement
• It’s important to use the most stringent regulations among
different local codes

General Design Requirements

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design.
 • DWELLING LOCATION AND LOT OCCUPANCY
– Not more than 90% of a corner lot
– Not more than 80% of an inside lot
– At least 2.00 meters from the property line

• SANITATION
– Every dwelling shall be provided with one sanitary toilet and adequate
washing and drainage facilities

• FOUNDATION
– Minimum 250 mm thick and 600 mm below surface of ground

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • STAIR
– Minimum of 750 mm in clear width
– Maximum rise of 200 mm
– Minimum run of 200 mm

• ENTRANCE AND EXIT

– At least one entrance and another one for exit

• CEILING HEIGHT
– With artificial ventilation: not less than 2.40 meters (floor to ceiling)
• If > 1 storey: 1st storey minimum of 2.70 meter
• 2nd storey: minimum of 2.40 meters
• Succeeding storeys: 2.10 m unobstructed headroom clearance
– With natural ventilation: not less than 2.70 meters
– Mezzanine floors: not less than 1.80 meters above and below it.

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • AIR SPACE REQUIREMENT
– Air space requirement in determining sizes of rooms: 14.00 cum of air
space per room

• ENCLOSURES OF VERTICAL OPENINGS

– Air ducts: In Group A occupancies, air ducts need not be enclosed in a
shaft if conforming with the mechanical provisions of the code

• ROOF CONSTRUCTION AND COVERING

– Roof covering shall depend upon the fire resistive requirements of the
particular type of construction

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • ROOF CONSTRUCTION AND COVERING
– Attics
• Access. An attic access opening shall be provided in the ceiling of the top floor of
buildings with a combustible ceiling or roof construction. The opening shall be
located in a corridor or hallway of buildings of three (3) or more storeys in height and
readily accessible in buildings of any height. An opening shall not be less than 600
millimeters square or 600 millimeters in diameter. The minimum clear headroom of
800 millimeters shall be provided above the access opening. For ladder
requirements, refer to the Philippine Mechanical Engineering Code

• Area Separation. Enclosed attic spaces of combustible construction shall be divided

into horizontal areas not exceeding 250 sq. meters by fire-resistive partitions
extending from the ceiling to the roof. Except, that where the entire attic is equipped
with approved automatic fireextinguishing system, the attic space may be divided
into areas not to exceed 750 sq. meters. Openings in the partitions shall be protected
by self-closing doors.

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • ROOF CONSTRUCTION AND COVERING
– Attics
• Draft Stops. Regardless of the type of construction, draft stops shall be installed
in trusses roofs, between roof and bottom chords or trusses, in all buildings
exceeding 2000 sq. meters. Draft stops shall be constructed as for attic area
separations.

• Ventilation. Enclosed attics including rafter spaces formed where ceilings are
applied direct to the underside or roof rafters shall be provided with adequate
ventilation protected against the entrance of rain.

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • STAIRS, EXITS ANC OCCUPANT LOAD
– The construction of stairs and exits shall conform to the occupant load
requirements of buildings

– The occupant load permitted in any building or portion thereof shall be

determined by dividing the floor area assigned to that use by the unit area
allowed per occupant

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • STAIRS, EXITS ANC OCCUPANT LOAD

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • NUMBER OF EXITS
– Every building or usable portion thereof shall have at least one (1) exit.

– In all occupancies, floors above the first storey having an occupant load of
more than ten (10) shall not have less than two (2) exits.

– Each mezzanine floor used for other than storage purposes, if greater in
area than 185 sq. meters or more than 18.00 meters in any dimension, shall
have at least two (2) stairways to an adjacent floor.

– Every storey or portion thereof, having an occupant load of 500 to 999 shall
have at least three (3) exits.

– Every storey or portion thereof having an occupant load of one thousand

(1000) or more shall have at least four (4) exits.

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • NUMBER OF EXITS
– The number of exits required from any storey of a building shall be
determined by using the occupant loads of floors which exit through the level
under consideration as follows: 50% of the occupant load in the first
adjacent storey above (and the first adjacent storey below, when a storey
below exits through the level under consideration) and 25% of the occupant
load in the storey immediatelybeyond the first adjacent storey.

– The maximum number of exits required for any storey shall be maintained
until egress is provided from the structures.

– Floors above the second storey, basements and cellars used for other than
service of the building shall have not less than two (2) exits.

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • WIDTH OF EXITS
– The total width of exits in meters shall not be less than the total occupant load
served divided by one hundred sixty five (165).

– Such width of exits shall be divided approximately equally among the separate exits.

– The total exit width required from any storey of a building shall be determined by
using the occupant load of that storey plus the percentage of the occupant loads of
floors which exits through the level under consideration as follows: 50% of the
occupant load in the first adjacent storey above (and the first adjacent storey below
when a storey below exits through the level under consideration) and 25% of the
occupant load in the storeyimmediately beyond the first adjacent storey.

– The maximum exit width from any storey of a building shall be maintained.

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • ARRANGEMENT OF EXITS
– If only two (2) exits are required, they shall be placed a distance apart
to not less than one-fifth (1/5) of the perimeter of the area served
measured in a straight line between exits.

– Where three (3) or more exits are required, they shall be arranged a
reasonable distance apart so that if one becomes blocked, the others
will be available.

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • DISTANCE TO EXITS
– No point in a building without a sprinkler system shall be more than
45.00 meters from an exterior exit door, a horizontal exit, exit
passageway, or an enclosed stairway, measured along the line of
travel. In a building equipped with a complete automatic fire
extinguishing system, the distance from exits may be increased to
60.00 meters.

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • DOORS
– Minimum width of required exit door: 0.90 m

– Minimum height of required exit door: 2.00 m

– Doors in exit doorways should be capable of being opened at least 90 degrees

– Minimum clear width of exit way: 0.70 m

– Maximum door leaf width: 1.20 m

– In group A and B Occupancies, a door may open on the top step of a flight of stairs
or exterior landing provided that the door does not swing over the top step or
exterior landing and the landing is not more than 200 mm below the floor level

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • CORRIDORS AND EXTERIOR EXIT BALCONIES
– Minimum width of corridors or exit balcony: 1.10 m

– Trim handrails and doors when fully opened shall not reduce the
required width by more than 200 mm

– Minimum length of dead ends in corridors and exit balconies: 6.00 m

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • STAIRWAYS
– Minimum stairway width:
• For occupant load of more than 50: 1.10 m
• For occupant load of 50 or less: 0.90 m
• Private stairways serving an occupant load of less than 10: 0.75 m

– Trim and handrails shall not reduce the required width by more than 100 mm

– Maximum rise of every step: 200 mm

– Minimum run: 250 mm

– Maximum variation of riser and treads in any one flight: 5 mm

– Winding stairways may be used for group A occupancies and in private stairways in group B
occupancies if the required width of the run is provided at a point not more than 300 mm from the
side of the stairway where treads are narrower, but in no case shall the width of run be less than
150 mm at any point

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • STAIRWAYS
– Minimum width of run for circular stairs: 250 mm

– Maximum variation of tread for circular stairs: 5 mm

– Minimum width of landing (measured in the direction of travel) equal to the width of
stairway

– Minimum width of landing if stairs has straight run: 1.20 m

– Minimum vertical clearance between landings: 3.60 m

– Handrails on stairways serving one individual dwelling unit in Group A or B occupancies

may have one handrail on the open sides
• Minimum 800 mm above nosing of tread
• Maximum 900 mm above nosing of treas

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • STAIRWAYS
– Handrails not required is stairways have less than 4 risers

– Minimum headroom clearance: 2.00 m

– Stairs in group A occupancies need not be enclosed

• FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS

– Required for all areas 200 sqm or more and with an occupant load of
more than 20

PD 1096 (National Building Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 1096

 • GENERAL
– OCCUPANT LOAD
• One (1) person per 18.60 sqm gross floor area, except for detached single and
two-family dwellings
• Any open mezzanine and balcony shall be added to the occupant load of the
floor below for the purpose of determining exit capacity

– CAPACITY OF EXITS
• Minimum width of egress: 915 mm
• Minimum door width: 710 mm
• For double doors, one door shall not be less than 710 mm
• Maximum door width: 1220 mm
• Based on capacity factors for type of occupancy

RA 9514 (Fire Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I RA 9514

 • SINGLE AND TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS
– MEANS OF ESCAPE REQUIREMENT
• In any dwelling of more than 2 rooms, every room used for sleeping, living or dining purposes
shall have at least two means of escape, at least one of which shall be a door or stairway

• Every sleeping room shall have at least one outside window width
– Can be opened from the inside without the use of tools, keys or special knowledge
– Minimum 560 mm in clear width
– Minimum 800 mm in height
– Bottom of the opening minimum 1220 mm from floor
– Except if room has two doors providing separate ways of escape or has a door leading directly outside
the building
– Minimum 900 mm wide exit access

• Doors
– Minimum 700 mm clear width for doors in the path of travel

RA 9514 (Fire Code of the Philippines)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I RA 9514

 Parameters Economic Socialized
Project Location Within suitable site for housing and outside hazard prone area
Minimum Lot Areas
a. Single Detached 72 sqm 64 sqm
b. Duplex 54 sqm 48 sqm
c. Row House 36 sqm 28 sqm
Minimum Lot Frontage
a. Single Detached
• Corner lot 8m 8m
• Regular lot 8m 8m
• Irregular lot 4m 4m
• Interior lot 3m 3m
b. Duplex 6m 6m
c. Rowhouse 4m 3.5 m
Length of Block Max. 400 m
Provide alley/ pathwalk for blocks more than 250 m

BP 220 (Economic and Socialized Housing)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I RA 9514

 Parameters Economic Socialized
Road Right of Way Min. width of interconnecting road project for interior subdivision:
10 m
Setback of 3m x 5 m at both sides of subdivision entrance
Minimum Width of Planting Planting Strip Sidewalk
Strips and Sidewalk
For 15 m RROW 1.30 m 1.20 m
For 12 m RROW 0.80 m 1.20 m
For 10 m RROW 0.80 m 1.20 m
For 8 m RROW 0.40 m 0.60 m
For 6 m RROW Optional 0.50 m
Water Supply Connection Mandatory connection to public water system
Minimum Water Supply 150 liters per capita per day

BP 220 (Economic and Socialized Housing)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I RA 9514

 Parameters Economic Socialized
Electric Power Supply Mandatory Connection to Local Power Source
Provide street lighting for every 50 m distance
Installation shall be in accordance with the Philippine Electrical
Code
Drainage System Concrete Lined Canal
Sewage Disposal System Individual Septic Tank
Minimum Floor Area 22 sqm 18 sqm
Minimum Level of Completion Complete House Shell House
Minimum Setbacks
Front 1.50 m
Side 1.50 m
Rear 2.00 m
Minimum Ceiling Height 2.00 m

BP 220 (Economic and Socialized Housing)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I RA 9514

 Parameters Economic Socialized
Minimum Stairway Width 600 mm
Maximum Riser Height 200 mm
Minimum Tread Depth 250 mm
Minimum Door Dimension 0.80 m x 2.00 m for main door
0.70 m x 2.00 m for service door
0.60 m x 2.00 m for toilet door

BP 220 (Economic and Socialized Housing)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I RA 9514

 Parameters Open Market Medium Cost
Project Location Within suitable site for housing and outside hazard prone area
Land Allocation Maximum Saleable: 70%
Minimum Non-saleable: 30%
Minimum Lot Areas
a. Single Detached 120 sqm 100 sqm
b. Duplex 96 sqm 80 sqm
c. Row House 60 sqm 50 sqm
Minimum Lot Frontage
a. Single Detached
• Corner lot 12 m
• Regular lot 10 m
• Irregular lot 6m
• Interior lot 3m
b. Duplex 8m
c. Rowhouse 4m
Length of Block Max. 400 m
Provide alley/ pathwalk for blocks more than 250 m

PD 957(Open Market Housing)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 957

 Parameters Open Market Medium Cost
Road Right of Way Min. width of interconnecting road project for interior subdivision:
10 m
Setback of 3m x 5 m at both sides of subdivision entrance
Minimum Width of Planting Planting Strip Sidewalk
Strips and Sidewalk
For 15 m RROW 1.30 m 1.20 m
For 12 m RROW 0.80 m 1.20 m
For 10 m RROW 0.80 m 1.20 m
For 8 m RROW 0.40 m 0.60 m
For 6 m RROW Optional 0.50 m
Water Supply Connection Mandatory connection to public water system
Minimum Water Supply 150 liters per capita per day

PD 957 (Open Market Housing)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 957

 Parameters Open Market Medium Cost
Electric Power Supply Mandatory Connection to Local Power Source
Provide street lighting for every 50 m distance
Installation shall be in accordance with the Philippine Electrical
Code
Drainage System Underground
Sewage Disposal System Individual Septic Tank
Minimum House Floor Area 42 sqm 30 sqm
Minimum Floor Area 36 sqm 22 sqm
(Condominium Unit) *18 sqm for single occupant
*12 sqm for student/ employee
Minimum Level of Completion Complete House Complete House
Minimum Setbacks Shall conform to National Building Code Provisions
Minimum Ceiling Height Shall conform to National Building Code Provisions

PD 957(Open Market Housing)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I RA 9514

 Parameters Open Market Medium Cost
Minimum Stairway Width Shall conform to National Building Code Provisions
Maximum Riser Height 200 mm
Minimum Tread Depth 250 mm
Minimum Door Dimension Shall conform to National Building Code Provisions

PD 957(Open Market Housing)

GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

SOURCE: CDEP. Review Module on Architectural Design. I PD 957

THANK YOU.
Prepared by MAKBAR

Design 2
FEU Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
2021